NEW YORK, January 26, 2026, 16:55 EST — After-hours
- Apple shares ended the day up 2.97%, closing at $255.41, and then ticked up roughly 0.1% in after-hours trading.
- JPMorgan raised its price target to $315, while Jefferies maintained a Neutral rating but lowered its target to $276.47.
- Investors are shifting their focus to Apple’s quarterly earnings later this week, seeking clues on demand and margin trends.
Apple shares climbed almost 3% on Monday, closing at $255.41. After-hours trading showed a slight gain of around 0.1%, following Jefferies’ decision to maintain its Neutral rating while cutting the price target to $276.47 from $283.36.
The shift comes as investors gear up for a packed week of megacap earnings alongside a Federal Reserve policy update, with tech and communications stocks attracting buying ahead of their reports. “You’re seeing communications and technology are trading well today in advance of the earnings from a lot of the large companies,” said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Northlight Asset Management. MarketScreener
Apple’s timing is crucial. Its report and outlook often move sentiment far beyond just its own shares. As one of the market’s biggest stocks, its guidance tends to recalibrate expectations for consumer spending and the profit outlook for Big Tech.
JPMorgan’s Samik Chatterjee kept his buy rating intact and bumped up the price target to $315 from $305, MarketScreener’s dpa-AFX note summary shows. The price target reflects where the analyst expects the stock to head over time.
On Monday, Apple announced an updated AirTag featuring a longer finding range, extended Bluetooth connectivity, and a louder speaker. The price remains unchanged at $29 for a single unit and $99 for a four-pack. According to Apple, the new version can help users locate lost items from up to 50% farther away than before, thanks to improved Precision Finding.
Investors tuning in for the results will focus on any changes in Apple’s outlook on iPhone demand, services growth, and gross margin. They’ll also pay close attention to remarks on costs and how quickly new hardware upgrades are rolling out. Beyond the recent quarter, what Apple says about the remainder of its fiscal year will be crucial.
That bounce tightens the margin for error. Any cautious forecast, softer-than-expected margins, or hints that consumers are delaying upgrades could weigh on the stock. This is particularly true in a market relying heavily on a few big names to prop up the indexes.
Apple’s quarterly earnings drop on January 29 will be the next major event, with its conference call set for 5:00 p.m. ET, per the company’s earnings call schedule.
